If you have ever worked in any kind of retail, you know there are two different types of customers. You have the quiet, kind, and polite customers, but then you also have those customers that are, for lack of a better word, quite annoying. When you realize you used to be that annoying customer you now dread, you start to do some things a little differently...
1. You never go in less than 30 minutes before close.
Because you know the feeling all too well when you're excited to go home but a customer walks in 2. minutes. before. close. and you end up leaving 30 minutes late.
2. You never try on clothes unless you're seriously considering buying them.
You realize how much work the employees have of making sure you put everything back properly, so you don't take anything you don't seriously see yourself buying.
3. You pay attention to the way things were hung or folded before you try them on.
Because you know what it's like to have to go back and refold everything a customer just put back.
4. You empty your own dressing room.
This isn't your bedroom and the workers aren't your mom. So you know to clean up after yourself.
5. You do not pay in change.
Or even small bills because you know what it's like when a customer pays for a $75 purchase in singles.
6. You never leave without reciprocating their "have a nice day."
There are probably a million things this worker would rather do than have to take care of you, so you make sure you thank them and wish them a good day too.
7. You never bring a posse of people into the dressing room area with you.
There is nothing worse than trying to do your job with a large group of people blocking the dressing room area of the store. I get the whole emotional support while shopping but you can send them pictures or come out and show them.
8. You do not get annoyed when they ask you if you need help several times.
You realize this is literally their job and they are supposed to periodically check in on you. They're not trying to be annoying or noisy and they don't mistrust you.
9. You don't talk on the phone while inside.
It's disrespectful to the workers and other customers. Period. A quick call or "I'll call you back later" but you never take a full on phone conversation.
10. You realize asking for a little help isn't so bad after all.
You know that workers love interacting with you and hate feeling like a bother, so coming to them for help is good for both of you!
Working in retail has really changed my opinion on shopping. I used to be someone who would run into the store 10 minutes before close just because I could only find time in my schedule to go in at that time and I "needed" to go shopping that day. I used to try on a million pieces of clothes and take everything down off the shelves to inspect more closely. Working in retail really made me appreciate the patience and kindness so many employees have shown me over the years when I was that annoying customer.
